07 Nov 2026 3 min read Minnesota Driver Education

Minnesota Letter of Completion: What You Need Before Taking the Permit Test

Received your teen's Letter of Completion (LOC)? Learn why Minnesota requires behind-the-wheel enrollment, how the electronic blue card (e-card) works, and what families need to do before the permit test.

Your teen has completed 30 hours of driver's education classroom instruction and received their Letter of Completion (LOC). The next step is taking the Minnesota permit test, right?

Not quite. There's one important step families often miss.

One of the most common questions I get from families is what they're supposed to do with their Letter of Completion. Many parents assume they can take it directly to DVS and their teen can take the permit test. Unfortunately, that's not how the process works.

Here's what you need to know.

What Is a Minnesota Letter of Completion?

A Letter of Completion (LOC) is documentation showing that your teen has successfully completed the required 30 hours of driver's education classroom instruction.

Your Letter of Completion (LOC) goes to your behind-the-wheel driving school. It is not your blue card and cannot be used to take the Minnesota permit test.

Your driving school needs to verify classroom completion, keep a copy of the LOC, and register your student in the Minnesota DVS system.

This registration creates the electronic blue card (e-card) that DVS uses to verify your teen's behind-the-wheel enrollment and eligibility to take the permit test.

Important: In Minnesota, students under 18 must be enrolled in an approved behind-the-wheel driving program to take the permit test. Completing the 30-hour classroom course alone is not enough.

Why Letters of Completion Are Common for ISD 196 Students

Many ReadySetDrive! students complete their required 30 hours of classroom instruction through ISD 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools), which offers driver education classroom instruction during the school day.

Since many of our students complete their classroom instruction through ISD 196 and their behind-the-wheel lessons with ReadySetDrive!, we work with Letters of Completion all the time.

If your teen completes classroom instruction through ISD 196, their LOC must be provided to their behind-the-wheel driving school so the school can register them with Minnesota DVS and create their electronic blue card (e-card).

This is an important step for families in Apple Valley, Eagan, Rosemount, and the surrounding South Metro communities.

What Does Your Teen Need to Take the Minnesota Permit Test?

In Minnesota, if you're under 18, you must be enrolled in an approved behind-the-wheel driving program to have an instruction permit. Completing the 30-hour classroom course alone is not enough.

Your behind-the-wheel driving school must register your enrollment with Minnesota DVS so your electronic blue card (e-card) can be created.

For the standard Minnesota teen driver education process, your student must:

Be at least 15 years old.
Complete 30 hours of approved classroom instruction.
Be enrolled in an approved behind-the-wheel program.
Have their driving school register their enrollment with Minnesota DVS.

Learn More: Minnesota DVS Driver Education and Instruction Permit Requirements

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs

Once your driving school has registered your teen in the Minnesota DVS system and their e-card has been created, they can take the permit knowledge test, provided they meet the other applicable DVS requirements.

Important: Do not go to DVS to take the permit test until your driving school has confirmed that your teen's e-card has been created.

Scheduling Reminder: Do not schedule your permit test for the same day you upload your Letter of Completion (LOC). ReadySetDrive! processes LOCs at the end of each day and will notify you by text once your student's e-card has been created. You can safely schedule your permit test for the following day after receiving confirmation.

Continue Reading: Minnesota Permit Process Guide

https://blog.readysetdrivemn.com/permit

Why Taking Your LOC Directly to DVS Doesn't Work

Your Letter of Completion verifies classroom instruction, but it doesn't establish that you're enrolled in behind-the-wheel training.

Your driving school must complete that enrollment verification through the DVS system before your teen takes the permit test.

Taking the LOC directly to a testing location without completing this step can result in an unnecessary trip and a frustrated family.

How ReadySetDrive! Handles Letters of Completion

If your teen completed classroom instruction through ISD 196 or another approved provider, upload their LOC to the ReadySetDrive! Student Portal under Required Paperwork.

We review and process LOCs at the end of each day and register eligible students with Minnesota DVS.

Once your teen's e-card has been created, we'll send you a confirmation text so you know they're ready for the next step.

If your teen completes both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction through ReadySetDrive!, we already have their classroom completion information.

It doesn't matter where your teen completes their classroom instruction. Whether it's through ISD 196, another driving school, or ReadySetDrive!, we'll help you understand the next steps and make sure everything is ready for the permit test.

The important thing to remember is simple: Your Letter of Completion goes to your driving school first, not directly to DVS.

Learn More: ReadySetDrive! Driver Education Programs
https://www.readysetdrivemn.com